Why does Coworker Self-leadership Lead to Employee Silence? The Role of Social Information Processing and Perceived Agency

Abstract

Abstract: Self-leadership is defined as a self-influencing process and has received considerable attention in both academic research and management practice. Existing research has primarily focused on the positive effects of self-leadership, while ignoring the potential negative influences. Based on social information processing theory framework and the self-leadership literature, this study explores the negative interpersonal effects of self-leadership. Through a scenario experiment and a two-stage survey, this study finds that coworker self-leadership exerts a positive impact on employee silence through improving perceived coworker agency. Organizational competitive climate moderates the relationship between coworker self-leadership and perceived coworker agency, such that the positive effect of coworker self-leadership on perceived coworker agency is weaker when organizational competitive climate is stronger. Furthermore, organizational competitive climate moderates the indirect effect of coworker self-leadership on employee silence via perceived coworker agency, such that the indirect effect is weaker when organizational competitive climate is stronger. This study not only expands the understanding of the negative impacts of self-leadership but also broadens the concept of self-leadership from an individual behavior to a social behavior, providing valuable insights for the practical application of self-leadership.

Key words: self-leadership, perceived agency, employee silence, organizational competitive climate

Zhang Lianghua, Li Yingming, Wang Yongli. Why does Coworker Self-leadership Lead to Employee Silence? The Role of Social Information Processing and Perceived Agency[J]. Management Review, 2026, 38(1): 132-142.

References

[1] 陈晨,秦昕,谭玲,等.授权型领导——下属自我领导匹配对下属情绪衰竭和工作绩效的影响[J].管理世界,2020,36(12):145-162Chen C.,Qin X.,Tan L.,et al.The (In) Congruence Effect of Supervisor Empowering Leadership and Subordinate Self-leadership on Subordinate Emotional Exhaustion and Job Performance[J].Journal of Management World,2020,36(12):145-162
[2] 张志学,赵曙明,连汇文,等.数智时代的自我管理和自我领导:现状与未来[J].外国经济与管理,2021,43(11):3-14Zhang Z.X.,Zhao S.M.,Lian H.W.,et al.Self-management and Self-leadership in the Digital and AI Era:An Overview and Future Directions[J].Foreign Economics&Management,2021,43(11):3-14
[3] 罗文豪,王尧.成为自己的掌舵者:个体自我领导的多层次驱动机制[J].心理科学进展,2022,30(10):2177-2193Luo W.H.,Wang Y.Be Your Own Leader:The Multi-level Motivational Mechanisms of Individual Self-leadership[J].Advances in Psychological Science,2022,30(10):2177-2193
[4] Manz C.C.Self-leadership:Toward an Expanded Theory of Self-influence Processes in Organizations[J].Academy of Management Review,1986,11(3):585-600
[5] Stewart G.L.,Courtright S.H.,Manz C.C.Self-leadership:A Multilevel Review[J].Journal of Management,2011,37(1):185-222
[6] Stewart G.L.,Courtright S.H.,Manz C.C.Self-leadership:A Paradoxical Core of Organizational Behavior[J].Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior,2019,6:47-67
[7] Kiesler D.J.,Watkins L.M.Interpersonal Complementarity and the Therapeutic Alliance:A Study of Relationship in Psychotherapy[J].Psychotherapy:Theory,Research,Practice,Training,1989,26(2):183-194
[8] Premeaux S.F.,Bedeian A.G.Breaking the Silence:The Moderating Effects of Self-monitoring in Predicting Speaking up in the Workplace[J].Journal of Management Studies,2003,40(6):1537-1562
[9] Salancik G.R.,Pfeffer J.A Social Information Processing Approach to Job Attitudes and Task Design[J].Administrative Science Quarterly,1978,23(2):224-253
[10] 潘哲,郭永玉,徐步霄,等.人格研究中的"能动"与"共生"及其关系[J].心理科学进展,2017,25(1):99-110Pan Z.,Guo Y.Y.,Xu B.X.,et al.Agency,Communion and Their Relationship in Personality Research[J].Advances in Psychological Science,2017,25(1):99-110
[11] Lee Y.G.,Koval C.Z.,Lee S.S.The Glass Wall and the Gendered Evaluation of Role Expansion in Freelancing Careers[J].Academy of Management Journal,2023,66(4):1042-1070
[12] Yang F.,Qian J.,Liu J.,et al.Bridging the Gap:How Supervisors'Perceptions of Guanxi HRM Practices Influence Subordinates'Work Engagement[J].Applied Psychology,2018,67(4):589-616
[13] Houghton J.D.,Neck C.P.The Revised Self-leadership Questionnaire:Testing a Hierarchical Factor Structure for Self-leadership[J].Journal of Managerial Psychology,2002,17(8):672-691
[14] Manz C.C.Self-leadership:The Heart of Empowerment[J].The Journal for Quality Participation,1992,15(4):80-86
[15] Kerr S.,Jermier J.M.Substitutes for Leadership:Their Meaning and Measurement[J].Organizational Behavior and Human Performance,1978,22(3):375-403
[16] Tims M.,Bakker A.B.,Derks D.Examining Job Crafting from an Interpersonal Perspective:Is Employee Job Crafting Related to the Well-being of Colleagues?[J].Applied Psychology,2015,64(4):727-753
[17] Kazan A.L.,Knotts K.,Houghton J.D.,et al.Self-leadership and Action-State Orientation the Role of Vertical and Horizontal Individualism[J].Journal of Leadership and Management,2018,2(12):90-101
[18] Furtner M.R.,Rauthmann J.F.The Role of Need for Achievement in Self-leadership:Differential Associations with Hope for Success and Fear of Failure[J].African Journal of Business Management,2011,5(20):8368-8375
[19] Bailey S.F.,Barber L.K.,Justice L.M.Is Self-leadership Just Self-regulation?Exploring Construct Validity with HEXACO and Self-regulatory Traits[J].Current Psychology,2018,37(1):149-161
[20] Knotts K.,Houghton J.D.,Pearce C.L.,et al.Leading from the Inside Out:A Meta-analysis of How,When,and Why Self-leadership Affects Individual Outcomes[J].European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology,2022,31(2):273-291
[21] Bhave D.P.,Kramer A.,Glomb T.M.Work-Family Conflict in Work Groups:Social Information Processing,Support,and Demographic Dissimilarity[J].Journal of Applied Psychology,2010,95(1):145-158
[22] Cheng J.T.,Tracy J.L.,Foulsham T.,et al.Two Ways to the Top:Evidence That Dominance and Prestige Are Distinct yet Viable Avenues to Social Rank and Influence[J].Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,2013,104(1):103-125
[23] Abele A.E.,Wojciszke B.Agency and Communion from the Perspective of Self versus Others[J].Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,2007,93(5):751-763
[24] 李锐,凌文辁,柳士顺.组织心理所有权的前因与后果:基于"人-境互动"的视角[J].心理学报,2012,44(9):1202-1216Li R.,Ling W.Q.,Liu S.S.The Antecedents and Outcomes of Psychological Ownership for the Organization:An Analysis from the Perspective of Person-Situation Interactions[J].Acta Psychologica Sinica,2012,44(9):1202-1216
[25] Detert J.R.,Burris E.R.Leadership Behavior and Employee Voice:Is the Door Really Open?[J].Academy of Management Journal,2007,50(4):869-884
[26] Hao L.,Zhu H.,He Y.,et al.When Is Silence Golden?A Meta-analysis on Antecedents and Outcomes of Employee Silence[J].Journal of Business and Psychology,2022,37(5):1039-1063
[27] Duan J.,Bao C.,Huang C.,et al.Authoritarian Leadership and Employee Silence in China[J].Journal of Management&Organization,2018,24(1):62-80
[28] Rau R.,Nestler S.,Geukes K.,et al.Can Other-Derogation Be Beneficial?Seeing Others as Low in Agency Can Lead to an Agentic Reputation in Newly Formed Face-to-Face Groups[J].Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,2019,117(1):201-227
[29] Manz C.C.,Sims Jr H.P.Self-management as a Substitute for Leadership:A Social Learning Theory Perspective[J].Academy of Management Review,1980,5(3):361-367
[30] 王宏蕾,尹奎.谦逊型领导与组织公民行为:竞争氛围的调节作用[J].管理科学,2021,34(3):53-62Wang H.L.,Yin K.Humble Leadership and Organizational Citizenship Behavior:Moderating Effect of Competitive Climate[J].Journal of Management Science,2021,34(3):53-62
[31] Watkins T.Workplace Interpersonal Capitalization:Employee Reactions to Coworker Positive Event Disclosures[J].Academy of Management Journal,2021,64(2):537-561
[32] 陈丽芳,付博,于桂兰.协同工作设计能缓解组织知识隐藏"困境"吗——基于防御型与促进型心理所有权视角[J].科技进步与对策,2022,39(15):99-109Chen L.F.,Fu B.,Yu G.L.Can Collaborative Job Design Alleviate the Dilemma of Knowledge Hiding in Organizations?An Analysis from the Perspective of Preventive and Promotive Psychological Ownership[J].Science&Technology Progress and Policy,2022,39(15):99-109
[33] Lee T.,Liu C.H.S.,Li P.H.The Influences of Cooperative Climate,Competitive Climate and Customer Empowerment on Service Creativity[J].Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services,2021,63:102726
[34] 任磊,刘燕,黄倩.高竞争背景下道德无涉领导对下属非伦理行为的影响[J].管理学报,2022,19(11):1627-1636Ren L.,Liu Y.,Huang Q.Research on the Influence of Amoral Mnagement on Subordinates'Unethical Behavior under the Context of High Competition[J].Chinese Journal of Management,2022,19(11):1627-1636
[35] Sweeney P.D.,McFarlin D.B.,Inderrieden E.J.Using Relative Deprivation Theory to Explain Satisfaction with Income and Pay Level:A Multistudy Examination[J].Academy of Management Journal,1990,33(2):423-436
[36] Forgas J.P.On Mood and Peculiar People:Affect and Person Typicality in Impression Formation[J].Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,1992,62(5):863-875
[37] Houghton J.D.,Dawley D.,DiLiello T.C.The Abbreviated Self-leadership Questionnaire (Aslq):A More Concise Measure of Self-leadership[J].International Journal of Leadership Studies,2012,7(2):216-232
[38] 张颖,段锦云,王甫希,等. "近朱者赤":同事主动行为如何激发员工动机和绩效[J].心理学报,2022,54(5):516-528Zhang Y.,Duan J.Y.,Wang F.X.,et al. "Attraction of the Like":How does Coworker Proactive Behavior Stimulate Employees'Motivation and Job Performance?[J].Acta Psychologica Sinica,2022,54(5):516-528
[39] Lawson K.M.,Lips H.M.The Role of Self-perceived Agency and Job Attainability in Women's Impressions of Successful Women in Masculine Occupations[J].Journal of Applied Social Psychology,2014,44(6):433-441
[40] Morrison E.W.,See K.E.,Pan C.An Approach-Inhibition Model of Employee Silence:The Joint Effects of Personal Sense of Power and Target Openness[J].Personnel Psychology,2015,68(3):547-580
[41] Zhu Y.Q.,Gardner D.G.,Chen H.G.Relationships between Work Team Climate,Individual Motivation,and Creativity[J].Journal of Management,2018,44(5):2094-2115
[42] Williams L.J.,McGonagle A.K.Four Research Designs and a Comprehensive Analysis Strategy for Investigating Common Method Variance with Self-report Measures Using Latent Variables[J].Journal of Business and Psychology,2016,31(3):339-359
[43] Dulac T.,Coyle-Shapiro J.A.,Henderson D.J.,et al.Not All Responses to Breach Are the Same:The Interconnection of Social Exchange and Psychological Contract Processes in Organizations[J].Academy of Management Journal,2008,51(6):1079-1098
[44] Dormann C.F.,Elith J.,Bacher S.,et al.Collinearity:A Review of Methods to Deal with It and a Simulation Study Evaluating Their Performance[J].Ecography,2013,36(1):27-46
[45] Müller T.,Niessen C.Self-leadership in the Context of Part-time Teleworking[J].Journal of Organizational Behavior,2019,40(8):883-898
[46] Langfred C.W.The Paradox of Self-management:Individual and Group Autonomy in Work Groups[J].Journal of Organizational Behavior,2000,21(5):563-585
[47] Zhang R.,Li A.,Gong Y.Too Much of a Good Thing:Examining the Curvilinear Relationship between Team-level Proactive Personality and Team Performance[J].Personnel Psychology,2021,74(2):295-321
[48] Keller A.C.,Spurk D.,Baumeler F.,et al.Competitive Climate and Workaholism:Negative Sides of Future Orientation and Calling[J].Personality and Individual Differences,2016,96:122-126